Deputies Saw Gun Before Shooting Suspect: Kane County Sheriff, Mosser

BATAVIA, IL — Kane County deputies fired multiple shots at a carjacking suspect May 24 after they spotted a gun in his hand, officials revealed in an update Monday.

Authorities originally called the incident an exchange of gunfire, Patch reported.

State's Attorney Jamie Mosser and the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force are conducting an investigation into the incident to determine whether police's use of deadly force was justified.

Just before 3:45 p.m. May 24, the Kane County Sheriff's Office warned drivers to avoid the area near Walmart on Randall Road in Batavia, citing a large police presence. A vehicle pursuit, which started as a carjacking in Aurora, ensued from South Elgin to Batavia before the suspect and a K-9 were killed.

The Kane County Coroner's Office identified the man as Aurora resident James Moriarty, who was pronounced dead at Northwestern Delnor Hospital.

Officials allege Moriarty stole a Honda Accord earlier in the day in Aurora before he was pursued and forced to stop at the intersection of Randall Road and Fabyan Parkway on the border of Geneva and Batavia. Deputies sent K-9 Hudson toward Moriarty in an effort to "subdue him," but when they saw a weapon in his hand as he turned toward police, they fired multiple shots at him, according to a news release.

K-9 Hudson, a Dutch shepherd born in 2018 and sworn into police duty in October 2020, died at the scene.

RELATED: Funeral Planned For K-9 Hudson Killed In Batavia Exchange Of Gunfire

Officials continue to ask anyone witnesses or bystanders with recorded video of the incident to call the investigation tip line at 331-385-6314.